silence

Nouns

  • (n) the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)
    • there was a shocked silence
    • he gestured for silence
  • (n) the absence of sound
    • he needed silence in order to sleep
    • the street was quiet
    quiet,
  • (n) a refusal to speak when expected
    • his silence about my contribution was surprising
    muteness,
  • (n) the trait of keeping things secret secrecy, secretiveness,

Verbs

  • (v) cause to be quiet or not talk
    • Please silence the children in the church!
    hush, hush up, still, quieten, shut up,
  • (v) keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure
    • All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed power

Synonyms

hush hush up still quieten shut up quiet muteness secrecy secretiveness

Antonyms

louden sound

See also

hush up sleek over whitewash gloss over

Words of close approximity

silene silent
silents Silenus
silenced silencer